The best way to understand the differences between interpersonal and mass communication is to understand what they are. Interpersonal communication is the process of sending a message and receiving feedback between two people. This process helps us gain a better understanding of others. On the other hand, mass communication is the method used by communication industries that creates a relationship between the media and their viewers. Examples of communication industries include TV, radio, newspapers and books.

Our culture, and more specifically our generation, is known for having endless ways to communicate and stay connected. We have become so accustomed to using texting, Facebook, and Twitter that we fail at communicating on an interpersonal level. An article titled “What We Have Here: A Failure To Communicate” (published April 26, 2012), addresses how the lack of practicing our interpersonal skills, make it hard for the majority to effectively communicate in social situations. The differences between mass communications and interpersonal are important to understand. This article mentions that interpersonal and mass communications are beginning to be confused among people. This confusion is causing inefficient communication. Avoiding defective communication in our daily lives requires us to practice and understand the different types of communications.